Can You Be Charged Duties on Orders Under $800?
Yes — as of August 29, 2025, the long-standing U.S. "de minimis" duty exemption for imports under $800 has been permanently eliminated. Now, every shipment—including those valued below $800—is subject to customs duties and fees.
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Previously, items under $800 were duty-free. Now, they face tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%, or a flat fee of $80–$200 during a six-month transition period.
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Carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL must now collect and remit these duties.
So yes — you can expect additional fees on low-value orders from Europe, even if the total is under $800.
What About Delivery Delays?
Yes, delays are happening. Multiple factors are contributing:
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Postal disruptions: After the policy shift, international postal traffic to the U.S. dropped by over 80%, as many postal services paused or halted shipments due to the lack of preparedness for the new customs procedures.
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Air cargo capacity crunch: Delays in new aircraft production and aging freighter fleets are reducing available cargo space, increasing backlog risks.
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Port congestion and routing challenges: European port delays (e.g., in Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp), rerouting via longer paths like the Cape of Good Hope, plus ongoing logistical constraints, are lengthening transit times further. Ships may be delayed 2–3 weeks or more.
Summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do you have to pay duties for orders under $800? | Yes. The previous duty-free threshold no longer applies. All imports — regardless of value — are now subject to duties and fees. |
| Are delivery times affected? | Yes. International shipping to the U.S. is facing significant delays due to carrier disruptions, tighter customs processing, and global logistics constraints. |
For most items in our store, you’ll find details about where the product ships from. If you’re unsure about a specific item, feel free to contact us for clarification.